Palm Beach County rabbis, congregants travel to Guatemala

Ian Cohen @icohenb

Wednesday

Feb 7, 2018 at 12:01 AMFeb 7, 2018 at 4:51 PM

Standing in front of about 2,000 Guatemalans, Rabbi Moshe Scheiner of Palm Beach Synagogue delivered a message he had been waiting for ever since he learned that Guatemala would recognize Jerusalem as Israel’s capital.

"I grew up understanding the world is filled with evil and hatred toward the Jewish people," Scheiner told the group. "I have never in my life, until this very moment, experienced so much love from one nation, the nation of Guatemala, to the Jewish people."

Last month, Scheiner, along with about 35 other people, traveled to Guatemala after it vowed to become the second country, after the United States, to move its embassy to Jerusalem.

The trip, from Jan. 25-28, included Scheiner, Rabbi Leonid Feldman of Temple Beth El, and members from both congregations, including Palm Beach resident and Beth El board member Dr. Peter Bendetson, who helped to organize and host the trip. The group was also joined by Michele Bachmann, a former U.S. House member.

The group met with Guatemala President Jimmy Morales, ate a dinner at the country’s National Palace and were joined by a group of evangelical Christians to thank the people of Guatemala and celebrate Israel.

More than anything, Scheiner and Feldman said, they wanted to express their gratitude directly to the Guatemalan people.

"We appreciate the friends that we have around the world," Scheiner said, "and we don’t take that friendship for granted."

Scheiner said Guatemala has a long history of supporting Israel and said it was the second country to vote for the creation of the state of Israel in 1947.

"Jewish people have a long memory," Feldman said. "We remember those who are good to us."

Guatemala made several accommodations for the two congregations, including serving a glatt kosher meat in the National Palace, the first time a kosher meal had been served there.

"It only takes the courage of one person for miracles to occur," Scheiner said. "Now, others will follow their example."